Does the possible effect of varying sea states affect shell fragmentation at Sandscale Haws, Cumbria

Abstract

This study is a quantitative investigation researching the effect of sea states that influences shell fragmentation along Sandscale Haws beach in Cumbria. The main aim of this investigation is to analyse whether the varying sea states significantly affect the shell fragmentation, looking into detail different types of shell fragments as a comparison. Measurements of the differing types of shell fragments were obtained in order to establish a suitable comparison between the different transects. By recording results over a few transects at the same section of the beach, patterns may emerge between each type of shell fragment and each transect. These patterns will then be subjected to statistical analysis to examine the interrelationships between the parameters tested.
From the results obtained, it is apparent that there is a varying fragmentation between the shell types. From statistical analysis, the significance of transect comparisons shows there is a significant difference between transects, this could be an influence from varying sea states. This investigation has arrived at the conclusion that is inconclusive but the significant statistics showed that with further investigation sea states and possibly sea level rise due to climate change could be partly understood from shell fragmentation.